Legal eagles success at mooting competition

Budding legal eagles took to the stand to argue a gross negligence case at a University of Wolverhampton law competition.

Six schools took part in the regional mooting competition at the University’s mock courtroom.

Pupils from six local schools – SWB Bilston Academy, Highfields School in Wolverhampton, Solihull Sixth Form College, Halesowen College, Windsor High School and Sixth Form in Halesowen, and Holyhead School, Birmingham – took part in the event on Wednesday, 29 March 2017.‌

The judges decided the winners were SWB Bilston Academy, and they were presented with certificates and a cup by High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Dr Keith Bradshaw DL.

Hosted by the University of Wolverhampton Law School, the moot simulates a court hearing and participants analyse a legal problem, research the relevant law, prepare written submissions and present an argument.

The pupils were given a fictional scenario of gross negligence manslaughter and had to state the case in front of four judges.

They had to decide on a set of facts centred on a daughter who, knowing that her mother was very ill, decided to leave her for a weekend to go to party only to find that her mother had died. The question was whether the daughter, knowing that her mother needed care and attention, was liable for her death on the grounds that she had breached a duty of care owed to her mother.

Head of the Law School, Sukhninder Panesar, said: “The participants all presented high quality arguments throughout the competition and the University of Wolverhampton Law School was delighted to work with local schools and college to offer their students this fantastic opportunity to engage in a mooting competition.

“The students were able to develop a range of skills, including the analysis of a complex legal scenario, advocacy, debating and presentation skills in a courtroom environment.”

In a moot, two pairs of students argue a fictitious legal case in front of a judge. To win, they do not necessarily have to win the legal case, but must make the best presentation of their legal arguments.

Further information

Pic: Students from SWB Bilston Academy with Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Miceal Barden, High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Dr Keith Bradshaw DL and Head of the Law School Sukhninder Panesar.

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